Wrangler Parent VF to Buy Timberland in $2 Billion Deal

VF Corp., whose brands include Wrangler, Nautica and The North Face, said Monday it will buy boot and clothing maker Timberland Co. for more than $2.2 billion.

VF plans to make Timberland part of its outdoor and actions sports business, and it said Timberland's headquarters will remain in Stratham, N.H. With the addition of Timberland, VF's outdoor and action sports business, which also includes Vans, Jansport, Eastpak and other brands, will make up 50 percent of the company's total revenue.

VF is offering $43 for each Timberland share, a premium of 43.4 percent to the latest Timberland closing price.

Timberland shares climbed $12.76, or 42.6 percent, to $42.75 in pre-market trading. Timberland stock has traded between $15.07 and $45.27 in the last year.

Greensboro, N.C.-based VF said the boards of both companies have approved the deal. It expects the sale to close during the third quarter.

Timberland is expected to have about $1.6 billion in sales in 2011, and VF said it is targeting annual revenue growth of 10 percent for the company.

VF said the deal will add 25 cents per share to its profit and $700 million to its revenue in 2011. It said the deal will add 75 cents to its profit in 2012. Those estimates include transaction expenses of about 20 cents per share this year and 15 cents per share in 2012.

Timberland, which also owns the SmartWool brand, made its name in the 1970s with its waterproof heavy duty boot and later, boat shoes. The company suffered from a sales drop during the recession. Results have improved in recent quarters, but in May the company missed first-quarter expectations, causing its shares to plummet. The company's stock closed down 28 percent on Friday from its price prior to the earnings report in May.

The acquisition gives VF ways to cut costs, an opportunity to better position the Timberland brand, and hidden growth drivers with Timberland's other brands, Earthkeepers and Smart Wool, said Wall Street Strategies analyst Brian Sozzi.

VF Corp., whose brands include Wrangler, Nautica and The North Face, said Monday it will buy boot and clothing maker Timberland Co. for more than $2.2 billion.
VF plans to make Timberland part of its outdoor and actions sports business, and it said Timberland's...